Dieseldude4x4

In my personal humble opinion, Honda is the very best out there. Quiet and very reliable but also very expensive. I have a 6500 watt Generac but it was $1400.00 and is conctruction/contractor grade too. It has idle control, forced lubrication with oil filter, and other stuff. <br>You should be able to get a 5000 for between $400 and $600. They are your basic plain jane fire it up and go generators and will work very well for what you want. Harbor Freight and Northern Hydraulics have about the best prices if you have those out there.<br><br>DD4X4

phox_mulder

[quote author=Scott(Gonzo) link=board=10;threadid=15079;start=0#141577 date=1053744050]
I'm in desperate need of a portable generator to run my drill and possibly some lighting on occasion. I'm looking at 5000 watt generators right now, don't know a whole lot about them. My price range is like $600. The quieter the better, this is all new home construction use, most of the work sites do not have power brought in and I have lots of holes to drill. Somebody give me some advice...is 5000 enough, is staying around $600 a pipe dream??
[/quote]

Ummm, sounds fishy.

I think you want to be able to watch DVD's on your Plasma screen out in the woods.

I think Honda is the best bet as well.
Just pay a little extra and get the best bang for the buck.

Just did a quick unorganized search, and it seems that the 5,000 watters are going for $1000-$1500 and up.
Honda being at the big end of the scale.
The 2,000 and 3,000 watters were more around the $600 mark.
(but that will be more than enough for the DVD/TV. )

Check out your local mom and pop Pawn shop, I've seen literally hundreds the few times I've been browsing.

phox

PADZZ

I have a Honda EN-2500 and it'll rn a drill and lighting just fine. They make a 3K watt quiet model too.

sherod

Another idea.. I got a 4400 watt agtronic with 8hp b/d. It has 2-40 amp 120 volt and 2-20 amp 220 volt outlets. Anyway, I got it from a wornout RV at the local dealer. Cost was $300.00. I had to put a small fuel tank together and add a muffler, but it works for me.<br><br>Ed

NWDave

Lots of holes to drill, eh? Sounds like an electrician and plumber self help job. 5K generator is more than sufficient. If you don't like the noise of the generator, most people tend to move them further away via the long extension cord. DON'T forget the voltage drop you'll get with all those cords and splitters. I love coming on a jobsite and seeing one 200 foot 12awg cord split into about 3 14's or 16's and listening to people complain about their hole hawgs are runnin' slow. Remember, 20 amp circuit equals 2400 watts max, derated to 1800 watts so you don't melt everything. 1/2inch hole hawgs or timber wolfs (a real knuckle buster) will suck that much juice if you push hard enough and have a dull auger bit or run into some tough wood or a knot. The sum is if you're the only one runnin' off the generator, one tool at a time, 5k will be more than adequate. But if you're providing power for all of the contractors (they should be bringing their own temp power, by the way) 3 generators won't be enough. Now you know why I don't do residential anymore. No specific model advice because we always had the cheepie, noisiest models and had earphones with tunes plugged in. <br><br>~Dave

Mexstan

A couple of years ago I bought a 'new' 5000 watt generator for $350. Found a place that was selling generators as new with a new warranty. These generators had been bought by customers (Costco, Sears etc) and returned barely used for various reasons. This one is a little noisy but not that bad. Honda is good, no doubt about it. If you are planning intermittant use then go for they type that shuts down to an idle when no power is being drawn. That will keep some of the constant noise down. If you buy an off brand then get one with a Briggs &amp; Stratton or a Tecumsah engine. Beware of strange engines. If you are planning a multi outlet operation then suggest a generator with all power available at the 220 volt outlet. This way you can run a 220v extension cord to a distribution center and have full 110 availble for your drills, TV etc.

spots

Honda hands down. Mine runs sometimes 10 hours a day 6 days a week for years and still runs strong. Oil change evey couple weeks. It has run pumps 24/7 for weeks on end only stopping to fuel it every 10 hours. Honda has a generator that is good for TV and DVD (if you want that) Computer controlled idle varies with the load. Mine is a 3500 and it runs multiple drills at one time. You would be fine with a 2000w. Oh yeah starts first pull. And survives drops from the second story doorways... :

Monty

Go with good old Cummins Powered ONAN..or the high priced Honda sir. Porter Cable makes a good generator as well.

Mexstan

If that is all you are going to be doing with it then 5000 watts is overkill. 2500-3000 watts should be more than enough. I would suggest that you add up your total expected power usage (in watts) and then multiply it by a safety factor and growth factor of at least 4. If it was me I would use a factor of 10. Also remember that the larger units weigh more and if you are going to be on a site by yourself the lighter unit may help you. (Save your back)

Helicopter Dan

Scott as another thought, how about one of those inverters for your truck, although it's mounted to the truck. no one can steal it, and it's always with you, don't have to drag it around either, or have gas for it. just a thought

RATTLINRAM

Hey Gonz,,,,,,<br> I got your problem solved! ;D It's real quiet too!

DF5152

honda EU series very quiet

Mexstan

Rattlintram, Scott, it is also a 'green' tool. No emissions etc.<br>As usual, there is one in every crowd!